Barack Obama is endorsing more than 100 Democratic candidates this election season. However, one name was noticeably missing from the list: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
On Monday, the former President released a statement in which he showed support for 118 Democrats. Those on the list are running for federal, statewide, and state legislative offices from 17 states. Some of those states include New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Illinois, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Nebraska, and Nevada.
“I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic and highly qualified Democrats,” Obama said. “Together, these candidates will help us redeem our country’s promise by sticking up for working people, restoring fairness and opportunity to our system, and fighting for the good of all Americans — not just those at the top.”
While Obama didn’t list Ocasio-Cortez in his first wave of endorsements, he did support her in 2018. Before mid-term elections, Obama endorsed her in ousting longtime former Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley.
Barack Obama on Why He Selected the Democrats on the List of Endorsements
Some of the Democrats Obama endorses include Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper for U.S. Senate and Rep. Andy Kim from New Jersey. Obama also endorsed incumbent members of Congress, Katie Porter of California; Max Rose of New York; Antonio Delgado of New York; and Joe Cunningham of South Carolina, Fox News reports.
Barack Obama, 59, holds high hopes for these Democrats moving forward. He says those in the group make him “optimistic not just about our party’s chances in November but about our country’s future so long after that.”
Furthermore, in his statement, Obama stressed the importance of this year’s elections. “Our country’s future hangs on this election, and it won’t be easy,” he said.
He also mentions how the coronavirus pandemic may help more important issues move toward the forefront. “Pandemics have a way of cutting through a lot of noise and spin to remind us of what is real, and what is important,” Obama said.
[H/T Fox News]
